Antiracist Baby

May 25, 2020
National Book Award winner Kendi addresses youngest readers in this board book introduction to combatting racism, which outlines nine steps for rearing accountable kids. Each spread begins with a numbered rule, then follows with a rhyming explanation. Starting with “Open your eyes to all skin colors” and ending with “Believe we shall overcome racism,” Kendi provides broadly actionable pointers to dispel societal misconceptions: “Point at policies as the problem, not people./ Some people get more, while others get less.../ because policies don’t always grant equal access.” Boldly outlined, inclusive illustrations by Lukashevsky complement the text by showing a world populated by people of various skin tones, sizes, identities and orientations, religions, and abilities. Though the advanced diction (“there’s no neutrality”) gears the volume more toward caretakers than infants themselves, the book will nonetheless serve as a mindful companion for families striving together toward a more equitable future: “Antiracist Baby is bred, not born./ Antiracist Baby is raised/ to make society transform.” Ages up to 3.

June 5, 2020

Toddler-PreS-Kendi and Lukashevsky offer a beautifully designed set of guidelines for parents (and anyone, really) to practice anti-racism. This bright and welcoming board book speaks directly to new parents. The opening illustration, rendered in lush primary colors and bold lines, features a smiling baby riding in her father's baby sling as he participates in a peaceful protest. Other protestors of different ethnicities hold signs advocating for equity, climate change, and Black Lives Matter. Kendi is direct with his prose: "Babies are taught to be racist or antiracist-there's no neutrality." The text then offers nine steps to make "equity a reality." Each step is presented with a short explanation that rhymes, accompanied by more of Lukashevsky's inviting and cheerful illustrations. This excellent board book answers questions so many people are asking right now: What can I do? How can I help? Kendi's choice to speak directly to new parents in this format works quite well. His succinct, impactful prose makes for an accessible guide to anti-racism for everyone. Lukashevsky's artwork elevates the text even more with brilliant color and charming details that will inspire readers to linger on each page. VERDICT The timely and relevant anti-racist message so excellently delivered in this book makes it worthy of a place on all library shelves.-Kristy Pasquariello, Westwood P.L., MA

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 15, 2020
This book may be nominally for babies, but its audience is an adult one. Kendi makes this clear in the first two double-page spreads: "Antiracist Baby is bred, not born. / Antiracist Baby is raised to make society transform. // Babies are taught to be racist or antiracist--there is no neutrality. / Take these nine steps to make equity a reality." Although this board book hardly substitutes for How To Be an Antiracist (2019), Kendi's exploration of the topic for adults, it does serve to remind caregivers that raising an antiracist child is a conscious process. Importantly, points No. 1, "Open your eyes to all skin colors," and No. 2, "Use your words to talk about race," aim to correct anxious, usually white caregivers' tendencies to "deny what's right in front of you" when their children point out people who look different from them. To these and Kendi's next seven points, Lukashevsky pairs bold, thickly outlined cartoons of babies and adults of many different skin tones, gender presentations, and body types. A couple of the depicted caregivers have tattoos; one wears the hijab. Several sets of parents can be read as LGBTQ+. The bright colors should keep babies and toddlers engaged while adults work to master the couplets, which do not always scan evenly. Some points are harder than others: "Confess when being racist," for instance, may require several reads to internalize. Antiracism's starting point. (Board book. 6 mos.-3)

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